Norman Kaplan: All Shall Be Afforded Dignity. The Ex Libris Gallery, Newcastle University. 22nd to 31st October, 2024.
‘Norman Kaplan: All Shall be Afforded Dignity’
This display of artwork marks 30 years since the first democratic elections in South Africa. Norman Kaplan’s linocuts and prints speak to what life was like under the apartheid regime and remind us of the enduring relationship between art and protest. The title of the display – All Shall Be Afforded Dignity – references one of Kaplan’s most celebrated works, on permanent display engraved into one of the windows in South Africa’s Constitutional Court, where it serves as a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made to overthrow apartheid and a reminder to remain vigilant to the duty. Visitors to the exhibition can view the linocut that formed the blueprint for the engraving within the exhibition.
Showing at The Ex Libris Gallery
Ex-Libris Gallery,
King Edward VII Building,
Newcastle University
49 King’s Rd,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
Free admission
Monday – Friday
10am – 5pm
22nd -31st October 2024
Access
The Ex-Libris Gallery has step free access. It is located on the third floor of the King Edward VII Building (Fine Art Department). Clear signage will guide you to the Gallery, and Hatton Gallery and University staff will be available to direct you.
Large print exhibition guides will be available.
For more information or to organise group visits email us at [email protected].
Exhibition Co-Programming
Film Showing: Life is Wonderful: Mandela’s Unsung Heroes
22.10.24, 15:00 – 17:00
Culture Lab Ballroom, 49 King’s Road, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU
You are invited to a screening of the documentary, Life is Wonderful: Mandela’s Unsung Heroes on Monday, the 21st of October from 15:00-17:00 in the Ballroom of the Culture Lab. Life is Wonderful tells an inspiring story of immense courage and self-sacrifice on the part of a small group of idealists from a range of cultural heritages who said: ‘Not on my watch’ and ‘Not in my name’. In the words of Andrew Mlangeni, Accused Number 10, ‘they were a multi racial band of comrades who fought for a non-racial democracy’ in South Africa.
The film is 89 minutes long and will be followed by a short discussion and Q&A session with a panel including Nadia Joseph and Caroline Kamana from Anti-Apartheid Legacy and Tricia Sibbons from Action for Southern Africa.
The screening is being held as part of the programme for ‘All shall be afforded dignity’, an exhibition of works by South African artist Norman Kaplan on display at the Ex-Libris Gallery 22nd-31st October. It also forms part of a UK-based commemorative programme on the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s liberation (1994-2024) from apartheid, convened by Anti-Apartheid Legacy: Centre of Memory & Learning and Action for Southern Africa together with the support of the South African High Commission to Britain and Northern Ireland. The film is being shown with the kind permission and generosity of the former Trustees of Life is Wonderful and the production company Knickerbocker Glory.
Please RSVP by filling out this short form.
Panel Discussion: Dialogue in Division
23.10.24, 15:00 – 17:00
Keeton Lomas Lecture Theatre (ARMB.G.09.KLLT) Armstrong Building, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU
Community members and students are invited to the informal conversation “Dialogue in Division” accompanying the exhibition, “All Shall be Afforded Dignity.” Panelists Una McGahern, Yusuf Patel, and Nadia Joseph will join facilitator Linda Norris of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience to explore questions including the meaning, uses and limits of dialogue and the role of memory and memorialization in past and current conflicts.
Please RSVP by filling out this short form.
Art and Protest workshop
24.10.24, 11:00 – 13:00
Hatton Gallery Education Space, King Edward VII Building, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU
An arts and craft workshop led by activist and artist, Melaine Colbey, exploring the role of art in protest.
You are invited to come and make banners, posters and placards for the important causes in your communities to be displayed in the Hatton Atrium throughout the run of “All Shall Be Afforded Dignity”. Using Norman Kaplan’s linoprints as inspiration, this making session will explore the relationships between art, solidarity and protest.
This workshop is 18+.
Materials will be provided.
Please RSVP by filling out this short form.
‘Norman Kaplan: All Shall be Afforded Dignity’ has been organised and presented for display at Newcastle by the Anti-Apartheid Movement Archives, Action for Southern Africa, and the Anti-Apartheid Legacy: Centre of Memory & Learning through Anti-Apartheid Legacy’s membership of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, who work in partnership with Newcastle University.
A travelling exhibition, this version of ‘All Shall Be Afforded Dignity’ has been produced and supported by the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience and Newcastle University in collaboration with the co-presenters. The exhibition’s presentation in Newcastle has also been made possible through the support of ACTSA by the Hainsford Charitable Foundation.
This exhibition is part of the UK wide commemorative programme, marking 30 years of democracy in South Africa. It is convened by Action for Southern Africa and Anti-Apartheid Legacy: Centre of Memory and Learning; with the Anti-Apartheid Movement Archives and ACTSA Scotland, in partnership with the South African High Commission to the UK & Northern Ireland.
“All shall be afforded dignity” is our theme for the year. It is both commemorative and a call to action for the future, since there is much work still to be done to realise the South Africa we all want, according to the provisions in the South African Constitution.
Our aim is to draw on the spirit of the 1994 election year, where hope with action were the key ingredients to achieving a new dawn for South Africa and for the world. More information about the 30 years anniversary commemorative programme here .
